Dubai Safari complete, opening date to be revealed soon

Khaleej Times -- Dubai Municipality on Monday announced completing preparations for the official opening of the Dubai Safari Park, after adding the finishing touches to the highly anticipated project.

Eng. Hussain Lootah, director general of Dubai Municipality, visited the Dh1 billion park on Monday along with municipality officials who were briefed on its facilities, animal shelters, medical care and veterinary services, and transport that will move visitors around the park.

The official opening date, however, is not yet revealed. "It is something we still have to discuss with Dubai Ruler's office, so we haven't decided on the date yet," Lootah had told Khaleej Times in a previous interview.

Lootah said that Dubai Safari, to open in Al Warqa-5, will not only offer residents a unique edutainment experience, but will contribute to international efforts to preserve wildlife and animal welfare. He added that safety measures have been put in place according to international standards, with an integrated fire-prevention network.

"It's not just a park that will gather animals, it will be an international resort that will confirm Dubai's keenness in providing projects that respond to the needs of the city," he said, noting that the park will provide an educational experience for children and residents. The environment-friendly park will also harness renewable energy and generate electricity to operate its modes of transport and facilities.

Dubai Safari aims to become one of the five best parks in the world within the next five years, as is equipped to receive over 10,000 visitors daily.

Spread over 119 hectares, the park will provide visitors and residents a close encounter with over 2,500 animals from 250 species in an open exhibit through four villages - African, Asian, Arabian and open Safari Village, besides a children's farm for just Dh30 for children and Dh85 for adults.

Dubai Safari aims to be home to 5,000 animals by 2020, and more animals will be brought in over the years to continue providing visitors with a new and fresh experience.

Visitors who choose to visit the villages, without heading to the Open Safari Village, will pay Dh20 for children and Dh50 for adults. Children under three, elderly above 60 and people of determination are exempted from entry ticket charges.

The safari rises over a former construction waste landfill, which was levelled and reclaimed to provide a suitable site.

The layout took into consideration the flexible movement of visitors, whether on foot or through the use of various environment-friendly means of transportation such as electric tram, cable cars, bicycles, e-vehicles that will carry people inside the park or from the facility's solar-panelled 3,600 parking lots.